For a lot of us, our jobs take up most of our waking hours. Very often, it can feel like the stress that comes with the pay is overwhelming, and we’ll start to wonder if we should be doing something else with our lives. Here are 30 low stress jobs, according to the Occupational Information Network Database. The database calculates a stress tolerance score for each job on a scale of 0 to 100, 0 being the lowest stress level.[1] Hopefully you will find some pleasant surprises, as well as some inspiration from the list.
Geoscientists
Stress Tolerance Score: 63
Annual Salary: US$89,700
Job Description: Conduct fieldwork or laboratory research, analyze physical aspects of the Earth such as composition and structure
Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Glass Blowers
Stress Tolerance Score: 62
Annual Salary: US$29,630
Job Description: Heat glass and shape molten glass into glassware, inspect products for quality
Education Requirements: Vocational training or apprenticeship
Applications Software Developers
Stress Tolerance Score: 61
Annual Salary: US$98,260
Job Description: Create and develop computer applications software, update applications software and systems, analyze data on performance and user experience
Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Proofreaders
Stress Tolerance Score: 61
Annual Salary: US$35,630
Job Description: Check for and correct grammatical, typographical, or style errors in copies
Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Physicists
Stress Tolerance Score: 61
Annual Salary: US$111,580
Job Description: Develop theories of observed physical phenomena, conduct experiments, publish findings in academic journals
Education Requirements: Graduate degree
Solar Energy Systems Engineers
Stress Tolerance Score: 61
Annual Salary: US$95,900
Job Description: Design and evaluate solar projects for residential, commercial, or industrial customers, such as water heating systems
Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Bakers
Stress Tolerance Score: 73
Annual Salary: US$24,170
Job Description: Handle ovens and other machines to produce baked goods from measured ingredients
Education Requirements: High school diploma, or apprenticeship
Dental Hygienists
Stress Tolerance Score: 71
Annual Salary: US$72,330
Job Description: Examine gums, clean apparatus, manage medical histories
Education Requirements: Vocational schools training
Post-secondary Psychology Teachers
Stress Tolerance Score: 71
Annual Salary: US$70,260
Job Description: Prepare course materials, give lectures to students, grade assignments (may include laboratory work) and exams, conduct research
Education Requirements: Graduate degree
Librarians
Stress Tolerance Score: 70
Annual Salary: US$56,880
Job Description: Assist patrons in locating needed information, acquire, catalog, and maintain library materials
Education Requirements: Graduate degree
Art Directors
Stress Tolerance Score: 69
Annual Salary: US$89,760
Job Description: Manage projects and budget, formulate and review style of content, present designs to clients
Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree (some jobs in the field do not require a degree, depending on experience)
Technical Writers
Stress Tolerance Score: 69
Annual Salary: US$70,240
Job Description: write, edit, and review technical materials such as equipment manuals, conduct research, communicate with engineers and producers
Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Computer Hardware Engineers
Stress Tolerance Score: 67
Annual Salary: US$111,730
Job Description: Design and develop computer equipment, test products, coordinate with software engineers to improve system performance
Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Orthodontists
Stress Tolerance Score: 67
Annual Salary: US$187,200+
Job Description: Diagnose abnormalities of the teeth and the jaw, apply dental devices in patients’ mouths, review dental medical histories of patients
Education Requirements: Post-doctoral training
Hand Sewers
Stress Tolerance Score: 67
Annual Salary: US$23,640
Job Description: Use needles and thread to join parts of garments, toys, or books, etc.
Education Requirements: Vocational training or apprenticeship, or high school diploma
Political Scientists
Stress Tolerance Score: 67
Annual Salary: US$99,730
Job Description: Teach political science at tertiary institutions, research government policies, develop theories, publish academic writings
Education Requirements: Graduate degree
Self-enrichment Education Teachers
Stress Tolerance Score: 66
Annual Salary: US$36,680
Job Description: Conduct classes or workshops on self-improvement (courses may not be academic or occupational)
Education Requirements: Related experience in the field, or vocational training
Judicial Law Clerks
Stress Tolerance Score: 65
Annual Salary: US$50,740
Job Description: Assist judges in court, prepare and review legal documents
Education Requirements: Professional degree
Mapping Technicians
Stress Tolerance Score: 63
Annual Salary: US$42,010
Job Description: Produce physical and digital maps, check and update maps, develop and maintain geographic or topographic databases
Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Post-secondary Law Teachers
Job Description: Teach courses in law, prepare course materials, conduct research
Education Requirements: Graduate degree or professional degree
Operations Research Analysts
Stress Tolerance Score: 63
Annual Salary: US$78,630
Job Description: Use mathematical methods to study data, assist in decision-making by the management, prepare project reports including cost, logistics, etc.
Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree or graduate degree (typically master’s)
Massage Therapists
Stress Tolerance Score: 63
Annual Salary: US$38,040
Job Description: Apply pressure on clients’ soft tissues and joints, suggest treatment to clients based on medical or physical conditions
Education Requirements: Vocational school training
Economists
Stress Tolerance Score: 59
Annual Salary: US$99,180
Job Description: Conduct research, develop and test theories of economic issues including market trends and public policies
Education Requirements: Graduate degree
Farmworkers
Stress Tolerance Score: 58
Annual Salary: US$19,770
Job Description: Cultivate crops such as vegetables and grains in the field (manually or using farm vehicles)
Education Requirements: Mainly experience in the field
Travel Agents
Stress Tolerance Score: 57
Annual Salary: US$35,660
Job Description: Plan and sell tours, evaluate costs of accommodation, transportation, etc. for customers
Education Requirements: High school diploma and/or experience in the field
Food Scientists
Stress Tolerance Score: 56
Annual Salary: US$65,840
Job Description: Study the processing and deterioration of foods, design methods of study, inspect quality of raw materials and food products
Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Remote Sensing Scientists
Stress Tolerance Score: 52
Annual Salary: US$97,130
Job Description: Analyze data and design projects for purposes including urban planning and homeland security
Education Requirements: Graduate degree
Door-to-door Sales Workers
Stress Tolerance Score: 51
Annual Salary: US$22,210
Job Description: Introduce, explain, and sell goods and services door-to-door
Education Requirements: Mainly experience in the field (or high school diploma)
Library Technicians
Stress Tolerance Score: 34
Annual Salary: US$32,310
Job Description: Assist readers in using the library catalogs and finding needed information, manage materials in the library collection
Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree or vocational training
Models
Stress Tolerance Score: 24
Annual Salary: US$27,530
Job Description: Model garments or accessories fashion shows and photoshoots
Education Requirements: Experience in the field
